Winterizing your home tips for colder temperatures, South Georgia prepares for potential wintry precipitation

CORDELE, Ga. – As temperatures continue to drop across Southwest Georgia, residents are bracing for the impact of winter weather.

From icy roads to biting winds, the cold weather is packing more than just a seasonal chill. But… just how cold will it get, and for how long? CBS 44 Meteorologist Matthew Crumley has the latest forecast for the week ahead.

“Well, De’Andra, tonight, we are expecting the coldest temperatures of the season so far and this year. We’re talking about Wednesday night heading into Thursday morning. We’re going to have morning lows in the lower to mid twenties. That’s considered a hard freeze when temperatures start to get below 24 degrees. When we start talking about pipes bursting and those types of things. So, you need to make sure that you take precautions,” said Matthew Crumley, Meteorologist, CBS 44 News.

Several areas in the region are particularly vulnerable to the cold weather.

“As you can see on the map tonight, we’re looking at those coldest readings from Americus over to Cuthbert. It could get down into the low twenties. Even some outlying areas briefly drop into the upper teens. But I think we’re not going to see as much of a wind chill concern because we’re going to see a little bit lower winds compared to previous nights. So, you need to protect the four P’s: the people, the pets, the pipes and the plants,” said Crumley.

Homeowners and renters are being urged to safeguard their pipes, as freezing temperatures can lead to damage, leaks, or prolonged water loss.

Experts recommend keeping faucets dripping and heaters running to help prevent pipes from freezing.

“Well, based on the latest model guidance, we have this Gulf low moving across the gulf coast. And it’s again, like anything else, it’s hard to get winter precipitation in South Georgia. And, at this point in time, we’re mainly expecting liquid precipitation. But, there is a narrow period of time where we might see a brief changeover to some freezing rain. That is rain that falls as liquid and freezes on contact with area bridges and overpasses, tree limbs and that type of thing. But, generally a trace can be expected. Now the heavier accretion of ice will be areas to our north across central Georgia heading into central Alabama and then north of that, especially from the Atlanta metro into northern Alabama and Tennessee, it’s all snow,” said Crumley.

Matthew Crumley stresses the importance of protecting the “four p’s: people, pets, pipes, and plants,” while also giving a look ahead at the upcoming forecast.

“Well, you want to check on the vulnerable populations, those that may need adequate warmth, like the elderly as well as the pets, make sure they’re secure and warm and also make sure you drip those faucets tonight, have those pipes wrapped. But again, that is we are expecting the coldest temperatures of the season so far tonight. So, just make sure you bundle up as you head out the door Thursday morning. And, we’re expecting the below normal temperatures to stick around with more freezes coming through mid-January,” said Crumley.

De’Andra Jacobs reporting.

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